View Poll Results: What kind of gas are you using these days?
Premium
93
51.67%
Regular
87
48.33%
Voters: 180. You may not vote on this poll
What kind of gas? Premium or regular? (merged GX gas threads)
#348
Running less than premium lowers the engine's output potential. Really only a factor at wide open throttle and most of us would never notice unless tracked by a chronometer in an acceleration test. We have a "beater" 98 LS 400 (VVTi came to the LS in 98) with 330,000 miles. It has never seen premium fuel after 40,000 miles as far as I know. Just the opposite of our GX, I flog the LS like a teenager, full right pedal with frequency. Including buried speedo on the Silver State Classic highway last year. Aside from annoying climate control issues, the car has never faltered. As my Aussie friend says regarding his VVTi Land Cruiser, "the computer will retard timing to avoid predetonation running kangaroo ****!" Of course fuel grade is a matter of personal choice and comfort level, but it's unrealistic to expect greater longivity by running premium. Either side of the argument, there's a positive. More horsepower is good even if you don't need it, as is more money in your pocket.
#351
Lead Lap
Further, even when premium fuel has been recommended for the GX 4.7 liter V8, it has just been a "recommendation", but Toyota/Lexus has also stated that 87 octane regular is sufficient.
Switching back and forth between premium fuel and regular fuel depending on whether driving is "putt putt around town" or whether driving involves "towing or a lot of hills" is not likely to accomplish much (except to drain your wallet of the extra cost when premium fuel is being used) because, when you switch fuel grades, it is going to take several tankfuls of fuel before the VVT-i adjusts itself to the change in fuel grade.
#352
is it ok to use 87/89 Octan gas
I hope this wasn't asked here like a million times. so where I live, all gas stations have 87,89, and 91 ethanol free only. the price difference between 87 and 91 ethanol free is like 80 cents per gal. (87-89 like 10 cents)
now I know that ethanol sucks. but my 2006 GX 470 has 144k miles and I don't feel like paying 15usd more every filling. unless it will prevent me expensive repairs down the line.
this car is old, but I would like to use for a while longer, especially since its my only vehicle to tow stuff like boats, atv's etc.
now I know that ethanol sucks. but my 2006 GX 470 has 144k miles and I don't feel like paying 15usd more every filling. unless it will prevent me expensive repairs down the line.
this car is old, but I would like to use for a while longer, especially since its my only vehicle to tow stuff like boats, atv's etc.
#354
Driver School Candidate
This is funny that I just came across this thread! I have been testing the gas for the last 7 tanks. First you mot definitely gas use regular but what I can tell you is that the engine is tuned to operate best with premium. The last tank I noticed that I dropped from about 400 miles a tank to 310 with 89! Same driving conditions.
#355
Driver School Candidate
Regular is fine. Couldn't have said it better myself. Probably no significant difference in performance or economy. I think the premium gas has more to do with the emissions system tuning than anything else. Not a big deal either way, I run regular. When I owned a BMW that asked for 89 minimum and higher recommended I always put 91 in.. not in this car though.
#356
I've been using 87 octane for a while now also with no problem. It does seem like they go above and beyond to gouge people on 91 octane these days. When I was growing, it was like 10 cents more gallon. I wouldn't think twice if that was the difference in price.
Supposedly older cars before they had knock sensors, you had to be careful with matching the octane to avoid detonation, but modern cars can adapt to it just fine.
Supposedly older cars before they had knock sensors, you had to be careful with matching the octane to avoid detonation, but modern cars can adapt to it just fine.
#357
Lexus Champion
This is funny that I just came across this thread! I have been testing the gas for the last 7 tanks. First you mot definitely gas use regular but what I can tell you is that the engine is tuned to operate best with premium. The last tank I noticed that I dropped from about 400 miles a tank to 310 with 89! Same driving conditions.
#358
Lexus Champion
I've been using 87 octane for a while now also with no problem. It does seem like they go above and beyond to gouge people on 91 octane these days. When I was growing, it was like 10 cents more gallon. I wouldn't think twice if that was the difference in price.
Supposedly older cars before they had knock sensors, you had to be careful with matching the octane to avoid detonation, but modern cars can adapt to it just fine.
Supposedly older cars before they had knock sensors, you had to be careful with matching the octane to avoid detonation, but modern cars can adapt to it just fine.
#359
#360
This is funny that I just came across this thread! I have been testing the gas for the last 7 tanks. First you mot definitely gas use regular but what I can tell you is that the engine is tuned to operate best with premium. The last tank I noticed that I dropped from about 400 miles a tank to 310 with 89! Same driving conditions.
Octane alone is not going to account for that difference. Other factors were at play.